Man charged with killing sex offender in Cullman Co.

Jay Maynor is charged with the murder of Raymond Earl Brooks. Source: Cullman County Sheriff's Office

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) -

A man suspected of killing a registered sex offender in the Berlin community has been charged with murder.

The Cullman County Sheriff's Office identified the victim as Raymond Earl Brooks, 59. The suspect in the case, 41-year-old Jay Maynor of Cullman, is charged with Brooks' murder.

Court documents indicate Maynor is a relative of the child Brooks pleaded guilty to sexually abusing in 2002. Brooks was convicted in an incident involving an 8-year-old girl.

Sheriff Mike Rainey said the first shooting happened at the Berlin Plaza Quick Stop on Highway 278 shortly after 7 p.m. Witnesses told deputies a man drove up on a motorcycle and fired shots at the store's window, Rainey said.

"After the would-be victim was able to elude the shooter, the suspect then drove off and went to the residence of Raymond Earl Brooks," Sheriff Rainey said.

The sheriff's office said on Monday they don't know the full extent of the details, but confirmed Brooks was shot at his home in the 4300 block of U.S. 278 East.

A state trooper who responded to the scene saw Maynor pull out onto the road from Brooks' home and took him into custody, according to the Sheriff's Office.

"At this time we are still investigating both crime scenes, the one at the store and at Mr. Brooks' residence," Sheriff Rainey said in a release. "We just ask that the public stay patient as our investigators work to piece together the events which took place Sunday night."

Brooks was convicted of first degree sex abuse of an 8-year-old girl in August 2002 and has been a registered sex offender since then.

Sheriff Rainey would not comment on whether or not Brooks' sex abuse conviction had a role in the shooting.

"We are investigating all aspects of this case and cannot comment on a motive at this point. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim's family," the sheriff said.

Maynor was booked into the Cullman County Detention Center for one count of murder, one count of attempted murder and one count of shooting into an occupied dwelling.